The National Youth Service (NYS) is set for a major transformation as the government moves to not only expand its ranks but also turn it into a self-sustaining economic force. Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku announced an ambitious plan to grow NYS enrollment from 20,000 to 100,000 recruits by 2027, signaling a shift toward making youth service a cornerstone of national development.
During a visit to the NYS Yatta Field Unit in Machakos County, Ruku stressed that the goal extends beyond training and national service it is about creating viable economic opportunities for the youth. Central to this strategy is the commercialization of NYS operations, particularly in agriculture, where the service will engage in large-scale farming of crops like avocados, maize, and beans for sale.
The CS urged Parliament to fast-track legislation that would allow selected government agencies, including NYS, to run commercially and lessen their dependence on the exchequer. Ruku said empowering NYS to generate its own revenue would not only ease pressure on the national budget but also create thousands of jobs in farming, agribusiness, and related sectors.
This shift comes as the government faces mounting pressure to deliver solutions for ballooning youth unemployment and to cut costs tied to inefficient state bodies.
